Boy’s Day Carp Streamer and Shōki Banner
On Boys’ Day, the fifth day of the fifth month, families displayed carp streamers and images of the demon-queller Shōki, painted in red to protect the household against disease; the rooster symbolizes honesty and fortitude. Kawanabe Kyōsai was renowned for his witty, humorous depictions of people, birds, and animals of all varieties. Once arrested for a caricature mocking the government, he became one of the most popular artists of his day.
Artwork Details
- 五月幟図
- Title: Boy’s Day Carp Streamer and Shōki Banner
- Artist: Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎 (Japanese, 1831–1889)
- Period: Meiji period (1868–1911)
- Date: before 1870
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
- Dimensions: Image: 37 1/4 × 14 1/8 in. (94.6 × 35.8 cm)
Overall with mounting: 73 × 19 1/4 in. (185.4 × 48.9 cm)
Overall with knobs: 73 × 21 1/8 in. (185.4 × 53.7 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2018
- Object Number: 2018.22
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎
1890
Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎
late 19th century
Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎
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